Morrell has taken in more than $21,000 in contributions since mandatory campaign-finance reporting started in August. That dwarfs Keen's total during the same period, a slim $3,735. Add in the $3,500 that Keen has loaned herself, and Morrell's fundraising total is still nearly three times as large.

In the race for campaign cash, Morrell was off at a sprint before Keen had her shoes laced up.

Records show that, by the time his first filing was due in August, Morrell had raised more than $8,400. Keen, meanwhile, has said that she didn't even decide to run until the late fall, when it was clear that, if she didn't run, Morrell would walk to reelection unopposed.

The records also leave little doubt as to their relative weight in the world of New Orleans politics.

Morrell, a two-term incumbent who also served in the state Legislature, has been raising money in chunks. Records show that nine of his donors made contributions of $1,000 or more. Only one of Keen's donors, by contrast, crossed the four-figure threshold. Half of her supporters contributed less than $100.

The roster of donors is also illustrative. Morrell's list includes powerhouse law firms like Adams and Reese and Cummings Cummings & Dudenhefer as well as lobbying firm Courson Nickel. Keen's ledger is bereft of such political players.